Director - IT Audit

American Express • Phoenix, AZ

4d • $123,000 - $215,250

About The Position

The Internal Audit Group at American Express is a worldwide function with more than 300 team members across nine countries. Its mission is to protect and enhance organizational value through independent, objective, risk-based assurance and advisory services, and to influence how the company manages risk. The group includes professionals from fields such as internal controls, consumer compliance, technology, operational risk, financial accounting, data analytics, and banking operations, as well as a Professional Practices group responsible for audit operations, quality and standards, regulatory relations, reporting, training, professional development, and internal capabilities and technologies.

The Director will audit technology and application controls embedded in first- and second-line business processes as part of integrated audits with other audit disciplines. The role oversees and executes multiple IT audits, supports audit teams with IT-specific control testing and guidance on IT processes, controls, and application implications, and leads audit planning and delivery for an assigned portfolio. The Director also manages and develops audit professionals, builds relationships with senior business leaders, supports regulatory activities, and incorporates industry and regulatory developments into audit methods and team practices. The role is based in New York City, Phoenix, Arizona, Charlotte, North Carolina, or Sandy, Utah. U.S. employment eligibility is required; American Express will not pursue visa sponsorship.

Requirements

• At least 8 years of audit experience.
• Prior experience working at a Big Four firm or a G-SIB.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to provide management with high-quality, actionable, value-added feedback on potential issues and solutions.
• Ability to oversee multiple audits, projects, and a portfolio; set direction; and develop team capabilities.
• Ability to guide teams in applying critical thinking to evaluate risks and translate considerations into evidence and risk-based insights.
• Ability to guide teams in applying control theory and professional auditing practices throughout the audit lifecycle, including designing and evaluating control frameworks.
• Ability to stay current on and share knowledge of trends, developments, regulations, technologies, and best practices in auditing, banking, and the relevant area of specialization.
• Experience testing technology controls, including automated processing, interface inputs, reports, application security, business continuity, and third parties.
• Employment eligibility to work in the United States; American Express will not pursue visa sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with data analytics tools, data visualization, key risk indicators (KRIs), key performance indicators (KPIs), information systems or technology, and scorecards or dashboards.
• Interest in working with data, interpreting results, and applying analytics best practices, along with experience using data analytics and data visualization tools.
• Professional certification such as CISA, CPA, CIA, CISM, CISSP, or another technology-focused certification.

Responsibilities

• Oversee audit professionals across multiple simultaneous projects of varying size and complexity, including audits in unfamiliar areas and outside the local region; ensure timely, high-quality completion and conduct Level 2 reviews.
• Specialize in one or more lines of business and own an audit portfolio, with accountability and a horizontal view of portfolio risks.
• Collaborate with Audit Leaders to develop an annual, risk-based Audit Plan using portfolio knowledge, banking knowledge, and industry trends.
• Support and/or lead regulatory activities and attend regulatory meetings as appropriate.
• Lead delivery and execution of the annual Audit Plan for the assigned portfolio using an integrated approach that considers financial, operational, compliance, and technology risks.
• Review management corrective action plans addressing business-identified issues, audit findings, and regulatory remediations.
• Lead Chief Audit Executive audit report reviews and share insights and observations.
• Build relationships with Senior Business Leaders, identify changes in the business environment and emerging risks, monitor the business, and guide teams in adjusting audit approaches and priorities.
• Provide subject-matter and industry knowledge to support business partnership efforts and effective challenge.
• Collaborate with Senior Managers and Managers on post-audit feedback discussions, providing actionable feedback, supporting development, and recognizing accomplishments.
• Support Audit Leaders with special projects across business units and geographic regions, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and risk frameworks; help prepare regulator responses and attend meetings as needed.
• Serve as a People Leader by mentoring, coaching, and supporting the career development of direct reports.
• Recruit, supervise, coach, mentor, and develop audit staff to build high-performing teams and foster continuous learning and professional growth.
• Develop training plans to upskill colleagues and ensure audit teams have the capabilities needed to deliver the Audit Plan.
• Monitor industry trends, regulatory developments, and auditing and banking best practices, and incorporate them into audit methodologies and team practices.
• Own and execute multiple IT audits concurrently, and support audit teams by testing IT-specific controls and guiding them on IT processes, controls, and application implications.

Benefits

• Competitive base salaries.
• Bonus incentives.
• 6% company match on the retirement savings plan.
• Free financial coaching and financial well-being support.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and disability benefits.
• Flexible working arrangements, depending on role and business need.
• More than 20 weeks of paid parental leave for all parents, regardless of gender, for pregnancy, adoption, or surrogacy.
• Free access to global onsite wellness centers staffed with nurses and doctors, depending on location.
• Free and confidential counseling through the Healthy Minds program.
• Career development and training opportunities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: No Education Listed